Shane Beamer Discusses Sideline Exchange with Star EDGE Dylan Stewart

Saturday night's performance at Alabama was four quarters to forget for South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart , one of the top prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft and the Gamecocks' top defender this season.

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer laid into Stewart coming off the field in the first half after his late hit on Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell extended a drive. Later, Stewart was called for unsportsmanlike conduct in the fourth quarter after punching Alabama tight end Josh Ford after a whistle.

Stewart was not ejected for the punch.

"We're both fiery and competitive guys, and it's a fiery, competitive environment, and that's what being in the arena is like," Beamer said of his first-half confrontation with Stewart.

> Shane Beamer screaming at Dylan Stewart. Stewart does not seem to care. This is bad. This is really bad. pic.twitter.com/bxtn9Af38b — Chris Marler (@Vern_Funquist) September 27, 2026

Widely considered the top edge prospect alongside Texas standout Colin Simmons for this year's draft cycle, Stewart is the closest comp to Myles Garrett college football has seen in recent years, standing 6-foot-5, 250 pounds.

The former five-star signee played minimally in only his second game this season, Saturday night, after missing the entire offseason and fall camp with back issues. Stewart's been on a pitch count of sorts and was only on the field situationally against Alabama.

Officials appeared to have missed Stewart's punch after the Crimson Tide's fourth-quarter touchdown led to a personal foul flag, or they determined the hit to Ford's helmet was not violent enough to warrant an ejection.

"I saw the play that he got the penalty on. I didn't see it until just now, and that's unacceptable," Beamer said of Stewart's punch. "That's not how we do things around here, and I'm embarrassed to see that because that's not what we're about. Didn't see it during the game. I knew we had a penalty. I didn't know what happened.

"We got a lot of fiery, emotional, competitive guys, and I love that. When you're in the arena, emotions are high. I love the way that he plays, but we got to make sure, not just Dylan, but with all of our players, that we make sure it's not affecting us in a negative way."

Alabama led 35-3 in the first half and 42-18 midway through the fourth quarter before Stewart's emotions got the best of him.

"Man, he's a great player," Ford said. "We had a lot of fun today. I think he punched me three times, but it was awesome. Good battle."

> #Gamecock edge Dylan Stewart threw a punch... Announcers can't believe he wasn't ejected pic.twitter.com/etyc3i6tUj — Chaz R Frazier (@Chazf_tv) September 27, 2026

Stewart was later seen in the fourth quarter refusing to come off the field , prompting South Carolina's coaching staff to force him off after subbing out for freshman Julian Walker .

Beamer was later asked if he felt Stewart's actions hurt the Gamecocks on the road.

"No. I saw Dylan respond in the second half," Beamer said. "We weren't sure at halftime if he was going to be able to go back out and play, from a health standpoint, but I thought he really, really gutted it out. I was proud of his response and some of the plays that he made. Having said that, the emotions, it's OK to play with emotion, but not be emotional."

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_Originally reported by [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/shane-beamer-sideline-confrontation-dylan-stewart/)._